An April to Remember

April snuck up on me this year.

Easter was early.
Spring was late.

And tonight caught me off guard.

Supper was consumed and children were scurrying and I couldn't bear the thought of cleaning the kitchen.  Glancing out the front window, I catch sight of one child on a bicycle, so I make my way to the front door to sit in my favorite spot:  The Front Porch.

It's a spectacular time of day.  A little while before twilight.

I sit.  In my sleeveless top and bare feet, I revel in the weather as a perfect spring evening approaches.
Birds are singing in full effect and the crepe myrtles are just beginning the first deep red sprouts of the season.  My angel-girl is astride her bike, chatting with the neighbor german shepherd.  Our ever-expecting kitty is meandering her way down the path around the house and I sit and soak in the moment.

Breathe deeply.
Glance around.

And then...remember.

Today is April 8.
It is almost 4 years to the day that my world came crashing down.
My life ended.
I ended.
And my real journey began.
I had almost forgotten.

"Why bother to remember?" you may ask.
"What a horrible time!  Why go to the trouble to reminisce?"

Here's one reason:
I glance to my right and see the much taller tree in which I had watched, 4 years ago, a sparrow building a nest.  As I stared at the branches, I could almost see her as she flitted from branch to ground and back again, building away. 
Four years ago I had sat and watched that new-found friend as I clung for dear life to the promises God gave that He would, indeed, take care of me. I was at a loss and wondering how on earth I would be able to provide for my family.

And now, four years later, I sit once more on this sacred porch in amazement that I am still in this house.
It is a beautiful house.  It is bigger than we actually need.  I have four and a half acres of woods that we hiked Saturday afternoon for hours. 

It is a stunning house that I am still living in.
It's a miracle.
Truly.
That this teacher/mom, after all this time, with her meager salary, is still.here.
I'm not behind on payments.  I am not in foreclosure.
Truly.  Miraculous.

I have no idea what God has in store.  I will fill you in later on more details of what all is transpiring in our lives as we journey on God's plan.

But, for now, this I know:
I am still here.
God provided.
He IS Jehovah-Jireh.
And I will praise Him.

I WILL remember
So that I CAN pass on this amazing truth.
God provides.
He redeems.
He restores.

I will soak up this moment.  With children running around playing and critters scurrying and sparrows building.

His eye is on the sparrow.
Me.